Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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ROLE EXTENSION AND EXPANSION:
A SURVEY OF NURSES’ ATTITUDES
Yvonne McCague
ANP
Emergency Department
Midland Regional Hospital
Mullingar
Co. Westmeath
yvonne.mccague@mailq.hse.ie
Introduction
The nursing profession has evolved considerably over the last
century. This global evolution has been in response to issues such
as changes in demographic and epidemiology, social and health
policies (An Bord Altranais 1999), technology, economic and culture
(Riley and Peters 2000, Cahill 1996) as well as introduction of
quality assurance initiatives in efforts to establish standards of
nursing care (Chang and Twinn 1995). With these changes, there is
now a greater emphasis and demand for the provision of high
quality and holistic nursing care. To meet these demands, nurses
have had to develop and improve their practice.
However, there are concerns that these developments are not
always for the benefit of patient care or the nursing profession.
Previous research have identified that some nurses find the
concepts of role developments such as role extension and role
expansion ambiguous and confusing. Other concerns raised include
inadequate level of training and education, lack of support and clear
guidelines for nurses to extend and expand their roles. In addition,
a number of researches have highlighted trepidation of the negative
effects of the extension and expansion of nursing roles such as
jeopardized standard and quality of patient care. This study aims to
identify nurses’ current views on the extension and expansion of
nursing role in relation to perceived benefits and concerns.
Conceptual Definition
The concepts under discussion include the Scope of Professional
Practice, role extension and role expansion. In Ireland, the scope of
nursing practice is defined as “the range of roles, functions,
responsibilities and activities, which a registered nurse is educated,
competent and has authority to perform” (An Bord Altranais
2000:3). This scope of nursing practice can be extended and
expanded in respond to contemporary health needs.
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